This blog is dedicated to all The Little People in New Albany. Always remember The Freedom to Speak no matter what the situation. We are not going to give these Freedoms away. No one shall take these Rights from Us. The moment we begin to see the personal agendas in City Government, We should speak out. We now have a voice. We can make a difference on the way our City Government operates.
My philosophy is Common Sense and seeing things as they are, and doing things as they should be done.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

The following press release was issued by Hillary Clinton's campaign office to coincide with her arrival in New Albany today.

With our economy sliding into recession, American workers and families need a president who will enforce our trade laws, stand up to special interests and fight to help create good, high-paying jobs here in the U.S. Over the past three months, our economy lost more than 140,000 private sector jobs. Indiana lost 9,0000 manufacturing jobs in the past year; and nearly one-in-seven manufacturing jobs since January 2001. At the same time, corporations have seen their profits grow at their fastest rate of an economic expansion on record, and unlike past expansion on record. And unlike past expansions, these record profits have not been shared. The typical Indiana household lost $2400 in income between 2000 and 2006 - nearly two-and-a-half times the decline for households nationwide.

Hillary believes that we need to restore balance to our economy by getting tough with our trading partners and putting the needs of working families first. Today, she highlighted her plan to help working families secure good, high-paying jobs here in the U.S. that cannot be outsourced.

Her plan includes:

* Making Trade Work for Working Families. Americans need a president who will fight for fair, pro-American trade policies that will not trap them in a race to the bottom. Low wages in other countries are costing America jobs and putting pressure on wages here at home. With approximately one quarter of our gross domestic product linked to international trade, we need smart, pro-American trade policies that help our workers and families. As president, Hillary will dramatically strengthen NAFTA's labor and environmental provisions; change it's investment provisions that grant special rights to foreign companies; strengthen it's enforcement mechanisms; and review NAFTA regularly.

* The only candidate with a detail, 4-part plan to fix NAFTA. As president, Hillary will dramatically strengthen NAFTA's labor and environmental provisions; change it's investment provisions that grant special rights to foreign companies; strengthen its enforcement mechanisms; and review NAFTA regularly.* Demand strong labor and environmental provisions in all trade agreements.

* Appoint a new trade "prosecutor" and double the enforcement staff at the USTR so we can truly enforce our trade laws again, and get tough with countries like China for allowing the piracy of intellectual property.

* Crack down on China's currency manipulation. Hillary is a co-sponsor of legislation that will require the administration to take definitive steps to stop China and other countries from harming American interests by undervaluing their currencies.

* Restoring a Strong, Vibrant Manufacturing Sector in America: Hillary believes that we cannot remain a great country with a strong economy if we don't make things in America. The loss of manufacturing jobs overseas threatens our economic future. And our dependence on foreign countries to manufacture equipment for our military needs threatens our national security as well. As co-chair of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, Hillary understands the challenges and opportunities facing American manufacturing. As president, she will invest in processes and products that could lower costs, improve efficiencies, and create more U.S. manufacturing jobs. She will provide $20 billion in Green Vehicle Bonds to help American auto companies retool old plants to meet strong efficiency standards. And she will expand the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which for a $100 million investment yields $910 million in new investments and trains or retrains 50,000 workers.* Ending Tax Breaks for Companies that Ship Jobs Overseas, and Investing in Innovation and Job Growth in the U.S. As president, Hillary will take away tax breaks from companies that are sending jobs and production overseas and use those tax dollars to encourage job creation in the U.S. She would permanently extend the R&D credit to help attract R&D facilities and high-paying research jobs to the U.S. She would establish a national broadband strategy to enhance the competitiveness of communities across Indiana and America. And she would ensure that the U.S. continues to be an engine for innovation and cutting-edge technological breakthroughs by doubling the basic research budgets at the major federal agencies and tripling post-graduate research grants in math and science.* Investing in Infrastructure to Create Good Jobs, Ensure our Safety, and Enhance our Economic Competitiveness. New Orleans and the Minnesota bridge collapse are stark reminders of our nation's failure to invest sufficiently in our infrastructure. Hillary's infrastructure plan would invest $10 billion in funding to help states review and repair their critical infrastructure; modernize seaports; expand funding for public transit and intercity rail; incentivize environmentally sensitive land use policies; and a reduce congestion. She is also co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation to create a national infrastructure bank that would evaluate and finance large infrastructure projects.* Establishing a $50 Billion Strategic Energy Fund That Will Help Create at Least 5 Million Green Collar Jobs. In 2007, many of the largest oil companies recorded record profits, Exxon-Mobil recorded an annual profit of $40.6 billion, making it the most profitable corporation in history. Together, the five largest U.S. oil companies-Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, Valero and Marathon Oil- earned more than $75 billion in 2007- about $2,500 per second. Hillary's energy plan would give large oil companies a choice: invest more in renewable energy technology or pay into a Strategic Energy Fund to jumpstart clean energy research and the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. These investments will lay the foundation for our economy to create at least 5 million high-paying green collar jobs over the next decade.

* Providing New Support to Help Small Businesses Create Good Jobs. At this time of economic uncertainty, small businesses are important than ever. They have accounted for 80 percent of net new jobs since 1990 and employ more than half of all private sector workers.

As president, Hillary will double funding for the Small Business Administration, which has been cut by 50% under the Bush Administration. Hillary will also provide new tax credits to small businesses to make it easier for them to create new jobs with health care for their workers here in the U.S.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Our city has an appalling record when it comes to the preservation of its historic buildings.

If New Albany is to retain any of its warmth, uniqueness and character, the practice of allowing a historic building to deteriorate is unacceptable.

Despite the stated commitment to planning initiatives, particularly downtown, to protect our history and architecture, historic buildings are still being demolished and significantly altered.

As a result of poor planning and a pitiful commitment to historic preservation, New Albany has a seriously depleted inventory of older buildings, which are the very foundation of the character of our city.

We must redouble our efforts to protect, preserve and restore the ones we have left.

A real commitment to preserving historic building exist in actions, not in empty, unenforced planning rhetoric.

The alternative is a sterile community that is indistinguishable from any of the other cookie cutter cities in Indiana.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed a major property tax relief and restructuring bill into law.More than 200 people packed the Statehouse Rotunda yesterday to watch Daniels and legislative leaders sign the bill approved by the General Assembly last Friday.The bill provides additional homestead credits this year and will cap property tax bills in a vast majority of the state. It means property taxes will be capped at 1 percent of assessed value for homeowners, 2 percent for rental and agriculture properties and 3 percent for business properties.The changes will show up on this year's property tax bills, but the cap phase is gradually between now and 2010. This year, homeowners will see a homestead credit on their bills, which proponents of the measure call "immediate relief." In 2009, caps begin to phase in, stabilizing at the 1, 2 and 3 percent levels on your 2010 bills.The new law also means your sales tax is going up to 7 percent. The revenue raised from the increase in the sales tax is meant to help pay for expenses the state is picking up:* School general fund* Pre - 1977 police and fire pensions* Child welfare* Juvenile incarcerationLess property tax revenue coming in to local government means they have less money to spend on services.The bill also will raise renters deduction from $2,500 to $3,000 and eliminate township assessors across the state, except in townships with more than 15,000 parcels. Voters there will have the option to eliminate the assessor's job with a referendum.Freedom Of Speech only has 1 question to our legislature and elected officials and it is this. "Where do you think we are getting the money from to pay all these increases? We are quite sure no ones salary has increased at the rate of property tax, sales tax and gasoline price increases.Where is and when will the relief come - if ever?

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Hoosiers for Hillary announces it will host a sign making party tonight, March 19, in Terra Haute in anticipation of Clinton's visit. Clinton campaign staff, supporters and volunteers will gather in Terra Haute, Indianapolis, and Evansville as part of the campaign's aggressive grassroots efforts in the Hoosier State.Clinton will travel through Indiana with Senator Evan Bayh. She will attend a campaign event in Terra Haute, a "Solution for the American Economy" Later, Clinton will conduct a town hall meeting from 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 in the Wigwam gymnasium at Anderson High School, and a "Solutions for American" rally in Evansville.No tickets are required for any of the events, and all three are open to the public.

Municipal GrowthA number of areas in Indiana are experiencing rapid growth. While growth is generally beneficial, it bears certain costs. "Growth strains existing infrastructure, such as streets, water and wastewater systems, drainage control, parks and public safety." Under current law, procedures provide few additional revenues to local government to help meet the financial burden to fund the increased demands on public services and facilities.Economic development begins at the grass roots level, with local officials creating economic development plans, investing in infrastructure first and public improvements.The effect is that existing residents bear the financial burden of new development.How about smart growth for our city!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The University of Louisville Cardinals are the number (3) seed in the East Region. The Cards will open play on Friday in Birmingham, Al vs. (14) seed Boise State. The ticket information is listed below:BJCC ArenaBirmingham, AlabamaHost: Southeastern ConferenceTicket Price: $153Phone: 714-704-2500After an anxious wait by Kentucky fans, our prayers have been answered with their 17th consecutive trip to the Big Dance.The Kentucky Wildcats are the (11) seed in the South Region. On Thursday, the Cats will be facing (6) seed Marquette in Anaheim, Ca. The ticket information is listed below:Honda CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaHost: Big West ConferenceTicket Price: $153Phone: 714-704-25003/20 - 2:30 pm (CBS)The Indiana Hoosiers are the (8) seed in the east Region. They will open play Friday against the (9) seed Arkansas Razorbacks. The game is to be played in Raleigh, N.C. Ticket information is below:RBC CenterRaleigh: North CarolinaHost: North Carolina State UniversityTicket INFO: SOLD OUTGo ~ Kentucky Wildcats...

Monday, March 17, 2008

Former President Bill Clinton will campaign in three Indiana cities tomorrow. Lawrenceburg, Richmond and Fort Wayne-to boost the presidential campaign of his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The first event is at the Dearborn Adult Center in Lawrenceburg at 12:45 p.m. followed by a rally at Richmond's Fire Station No. 1 at 3:30 p.m. The final event is at 6:45 p.m. at the Grand Wayne Center, Convention Hall C, in Fort Wayne.

Senator Clinton herself will be in Indiana Thursday for a campaign swing through the state.

Details on how to attend the Anderson and Evansville events have not yet been released. She will be accompanied by Senator Evan Bayh, who is national co-chairman of her campaign.

Will Hillary visit New Albany? Our sources tell us: Hillary will be meeting with a "selected group of citizens from New Albany" in Terre Haute on Wednesday."

Sunday, March 16, 2008

As children growing up in New Albany we were taught from a young age that our city was ruled by the people and for the people. We were taught that we elect a Mayor and Council members to serve us in political office and they are to do the will of their constituents. We're a bit confused by this. Why, you ask? Simply put, we don't see this as a reality!

What is the City Council doing to educate themselves? Are they making decisions to spend our tax money without even reading the law books?

Council Members:

1. New Albany Code of Laws are in a printed 3 inch binder notebook published by American Legal Publishing. Each City Council Member is given a copy of this book by the City Clerk when they are sworn in to office.

3. How much money is going into each TIF area that could have gone into our General Fund?

4. Why don't the Developers pay for their own roads and sewer lines?

Doug England and Carl Malysz are in a hurry to have the Council pledge TIF and EDIT money so when the sewer repair bills come due there will be no TIF or EDIT money left and then they will have to raise the sewer rates.

How many other "unknown pledges" of taxpayers dollars has England made?

5. Council members how are you going to come up with the funds to fix 15th Street?

The Council members need to look at IC 36-4-9-7. It states a Deputy Mayor must be established by ordinance. The Council must approve the ordinance. The Mayor has "created" two Deputy Mayors and the Common Council has ignored the law!

6. You've expanded TIF areas with out looking at the impact of what it is going to cost the taxpayers and the impact of the loss of dollars to our General Fund.

Case in point:

The attorney for Doctor's building on Green Valley Road told the city council that the property now only brings in about $3,000.00 in property taxes per year. But, if the Council would approve this new building for the Doctor, then, that new building would add about $60,000.00 per year to the New Albany Tax base.

Since you Council members agreed to place this property in a TIF Area, that money [$60,000] will not be added to the assessed value, but, will be placed in a separate fund. This money CANNOT BE USED for our General Fund.

Any additions to the assessed value of property helps to "hold down our property tax increases for us homeowners."

Property taxes are increasing each year because PTRC [Property Tax Replacement Credit] is decreasing. State help on property taxes is going down.

The bottom line here Council President Gahan, and Council members Gonder, Messer, Zurschmiede, Coffey, Caesar, Price, McLaughlin and Council women Diane Benedetti:

"NEW ALBANY NEEDS TO ADD TO THE TAX BASE TO HOLD DOWN OUR PROPERTY TAXES."

Freedom Of Speech would like to say: You council members are being lead by your NOSES to give our Mayor and Deputy Mayor and Redevelopment and the Board of Works the authority to continue to RAPE all the TAXPAYERS of New Albany!

If you love New Albany as much as we do, then, take 5 minutes of your time and spend the money to make the calls to the following officials:

* Charlie Pride: State Board of Accounts at - 317-232-2521

* Gail Snyder: at 317-407-2433 - Indiana Department of Local Government for Floyd County

Ask them these three questions:

1. Do TIF'S affect Property Taxes?

2. Do Tax Abatements affect property taxes?

3. Does local government spending, wasteful spending, misappropriation and mismanagement of local tax dollars affect our property taxes?

It's time for you to make decisions based on facts instead of politics!

Remember you are our elected public servants, you took an oath of office and you are being paid by the taxpayers to do what's best for your constituents.

Not self interest!

The VOTERS elected Council Members to represent all the taxpayers and follow the law.

Why is our Council allowing the Deputy Mayor to hold workshops before Council meetings to coach the Council members on how to vote?

Why is the Council approving steps that will lead to more LONG TERMBONDS for the City Debt? These Bonds are a joke! We don't want to pay these costs, so, we put the BURDEN OF THE DEBT AND PAYMENTS ON OUR CHILDREN to pay in the future...

First, there is NO APPROVED City Budget for 2008, however, we are spending city money as if there was NO limit.

Second, what are we going to do when the STATE makes cuts in the requested 2008 Budget? Our sources tell us that it maybe mid-year before budget approval.

New Albany's:* General Fund is -$1,695,512.40 in the red

* Motor Vehicle Highway Fund is - $473,374.34 in the red

* Sanitation is - $5,467,740.27 in the red

Source: Dec. 31, 2007 ~ Financial Report by Kay Garry, Controller

These shortages are carried over into 2008!

Do the math Council members. Do you really think that these millions of dollars that our city is in debt doesn't matter?

Are the Council members really this stupid? Are they just bought and paid for? You ask what does that mean. That means they are obligated to the new administration to give our Mayor England and Deputy Mayor Malysz "carte blanche" and handing them a "blank check" to do what ever the hell they want to do!

So far our Council members have done exactly that and what ever ENGLAND wants England gets! Who is running our city? Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz or England?Let's look at the real facts of what our Council has done so far:

* They voted to stop the Sewer Board & Stormwater lawsuit one meeting and the very next month council members voted to reinstate the very same lawsuit.

* You gave raises to our Mayor and our City Clerk. By the way, the Clerk's Office has not updated January 2008 Sewer Board minutes, and City Council minutes. Why does she deserve a raise, isn't that part of her job as City Clerk?

* You have voted and approved England's "created new positions."

* New Deputy Mayor positions

* Expanded TIF areas

We challenge you Mayor England, Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz, Controller Kay Garry, and all 9 Council members to prove us wrong!

It is time that you 9 Council members get out into the real world.It has become painfully obvious who cares and who doesn't about the real issues, housing, sewer overflows, garbage collection, repairs of 15th Street, fiscal responsibility and most of all accountability to us taxpayers.

You say, this does not affect you, what about tax base, does that affect you home owners?

Absolutely!This is what is known as "the public's right to know."Our Mayor England is fully aware that making this information public will bring about the many questions of accountability.

Mayor England and 9 Council members are gambling with the best interest of each and every taxpayer of New Albany.One final question:When did you 9 Council members approve the purchase of two - 2008 Malibu's from Coyle Chevrolet that's being used by our new administration, and which department did these funds come out of? Freedom Of Speech is here to ring the wake-up bell and ask you 9 Council members not to look the other way!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

In less than 48 hrs. our Indiana State legislators will produce a bill for the Governor to sign. It could be today, so time is allowed for assembling and retyping the bill for Daniel's signature, leaving Friday for their sound bites, partisan-speeches and the best spin they can attach to their efforts as becoming political spin meisters.

The entire short session has been fraught with partisanship over the property tax issue, because it was their participation in the dilemma that contributed to the worse tax debacle in Indiana history.

From the outcries and protests of last summer to the present, the overwhelming indications suggest a spin from lawmakers devised to convince Hoosiers they have done the best they can do, and while not perfect, will provide a massive tax decrease and relief for Hoosier homeowners.

Nothing can be further from the truth when they killed the property tax repeal bill SJR008 and took options off the table to protect their own system, while along the way gaping problems of a failed and broken system at every level of government were manifested in daily media headlines that were carried across state lines, adding to our embarrassment and the misery index of Indiana citizens.

Cynicism from media, farms, businesses, homeowners, assessors, mayors, and you name it, will be justified as Hoosiers become further unglued when they see the final product.

We know this because 95% of the work has been evidenced in these lawmakers' printed interviews and falls woefully short of true reform.

Do not be misled by the hype and front page headlines with a touted bipartisan production of a final cosmetic and constitutionally challenged bill.

We are in for a rough summer when your "gotcha bill" for last year arrives, and coupled with your new spring tax bill, will offer further distress over a Statehouse tragedy that plagues our residents, farms and businesses, as lawmakers duck out until January 1st, hoping to avoid facing our perpetual torture and the prospect of a November election disaster.

Brace yourself. Before seeing a doctor for an antidepressant and before you call the moving company, let's see if we can have a reasoned response!

Who should we blame? State and local democrats for our property tax mess...

Generally, bonds payable from TIF may be used to finance the cost of redevelopment and the construction of public improvements in the redevelopment area or projects that directly serve or benefit that area. For example, the proceeds of TIF bonds may be used for property acquisition and redevelopment activities including the construction of "local public improvements," such as public ways, sidewalks, sewers, waterlines, parking facilities and park or recreational areas.

The specific permitted uses of property tax proceeds generated from the increased assessed value are the following:

1. Paying the principal of and interest on opligations payable solely from the allocated tax proceeds.2. Establishing. augmenting, or restoring the debt service reserve for TIF bonds.3. Paying the principal of and interest on TIF bonds payable from allocated tax proceeds and a special taxing district tax levied by the commission.4. Paying leases entered into by the Redevelopment Commission for public improvement.5. Paying the principal of and interest on bonds issued by the "unit" to pay for local public improvements in or serving the allocation area.6. Paying premiums on the redemption before maturity of TIF bonds.

Coattails: The power of a popular candidate together support for other candidates in his or her group or win able candidates are said to have when they drag other candidates along with them to victory.

Machine Politics: Politics controlled by a tightly - run inter circle that stresses discipline and rewards its outside candidates and supporters.

Dark Horse: A long - shot candidate.

Demagogue: A leader whose impassioned rhetoric appeals to greed, fear, and hatred, and who often spreads lies.

Grass roots: Political activity that originates locally, or arises from ground level.

Platform: The positions that a party adopts, and stands on, at the beginning of an election campaign.

Slate: Candidates for various offices running as a team.

Stump: To campaign in person on a local level.

Swing Vote: The undecided, portion of the voters that can "swing" the outcome of an election one way or the other.

Spin: A politician's attempt to shape the way the public looks at an issue or event.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Although we are still working on the last details of closing, we have scheduled the ribbon cutting / open house for 800 Linden Meadows Court for Thursday, March 20 at 2 pm. US Congressman Baron Hill has accepted our invitation join Mayor Doug England to help us cut the ribbon.We will also open up our office next door (for sale) as well as another house across the street for walk-throughs.

John MillerNew Albany Community Housing

Source: email

Freedom Of Speech would like to say:

First, isn't CHDO - Linden Meadows in violation of Zoning Laws? They are operating a home sales business in a residential area. How about fixing the collapsed roof on the other home? This is not a good image in selling overpriced homes. Look around home buyers there are lots of nicer homes through out our city to buy. Besides, they have been sitting there deteriorating for about 4 years.

Second, these are the same houses that appeared in candidate England's TV commercial when he said and we quote: "If elected mayor I will cleanup our city substandard homes like these."What happen to all the so called 300 applicants who were ready to purchase these homes as John Miller has stated time and time again.

Don't you think you might wait until the project is completed before cutting the ribbon?Freedom Of Speech feels that this has been nothing but a "smoke andmirror project" from the get go!

Saturday, March 08, 2008

We believe we can find the solutions for most of the everyday problems that we complain about, in our city. Our attitude is that, the problems of the city are our problems. City Board of WorksMatt Dennison - PresidentKay Garry - City ControllerCarl Malysz - Deputy Mayor, Director Community Development, Economic Development Director Board of Works voted to award a contract for a study of New Albany streets. The contract approved for $14,500 by Renaissance Design Build Inc. of Sellersburg.Was Renaissance Design Build Inc. a contributor to Mayor England's campaign?

How do we know that Renaissance Design Build Inc. will not be pressured by political figures in New Albany when they prepare the list?

First of all, we have already paid for a study for repairs of Spring Street Hill.Second, we, the taxpayers, will turn in a city list of potholes to the Board of Works and we won't charge $14,500.The decision for the payment of $14,500 contract to study our streets will now fall into the hands of the Redevelopoment Commission.Those members are:Irving Joshua - PresidentEddie HancockJohn CoffmanDan Coffey - Council memberDiane McCartin Benedetti - Council memberEDIT Funds:Let us go back to the Redevelopment Commission meeting of 2001. "The Director stated that by the time the project is paid off, we will pay approximately $3,696,350 of EDIT money into the parking garage project. The Director also stated that once the TIF Bonds are paid off, then, TIF Funds can be collected to refund the city the EDIT money. In return, the city can use those EDIT Funds for other capital improvement projects."Freedom Of Speech would like to say: that this $3,696,350 of EDIT money could pave every street in our city.Source: New Albany Redevelopment Commission Nov. 2001How can Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz & Mayor England make this decision to refuse to pay back the $3,696,350 that TIF owes EDIT for the payments on the Downtown Parking Garage Bond?With the amount of city money we are paying Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz, Mayor England and Matt Dennison, can you believe that they DON'T have the knowledge and fairness to prepare a list of New Albany streets to repair. It seems to us it is still cheaper to put a street down once, and not have to tear them up and fix them every election year for perks.Malysz, Dennison and England did you all forget simple economics?When we hear you all talk, our city has all kind of money to spend!How about fixing infrastructure first like sewers, 15th Street and worry about sidewalks and streets later.Our final thought, "Let's do a pothole fundraiser." how much are you willing to contribute if we promise to put your name on a pothole?Now that's what "we taxpayers" call creative financing!

Friday, March 07, 2008

Over the next two weeks, Indiana lawmakers will make significant, far reaching decisions about taxes that will affect every Indiana resident. Homeowners, renters, consumers, workers, business owners, farmers, students - all have something at stake.What proponents are billing as property tax "reform" is in fact a thinly veiled shift in the tax burden. Details on the new tax structure are still being worked out, so exactly how Hoosiers will be affected is unknown.In many counties, based on preliminary analyses, "middle-class and lower-class homeowners lose, and higher class homeowners win.Invoking a property tax "crisis" that was largely of their own making, legislative leaders are pushing plans that would crimp the ability of local government. And it should!

Yet the final tax package will likely make only some headway in answering the bottom-line question most Hoosiers ask: How much will my property tax be this year?

* Phases in the property tax reduction over a period of years (if at all), while the increase in the sales tax and local income tax will take effect immediately.

But things can change in the next two weeks.

This tax shell game is a huge tax shift combined with a tax increase.What's next ~ Nothing is certain!

Lawmakers could reject the Daniels tax plan. They could pass a version that eases some of the financial strain cities are expected to face. And we hope so...They could base property tax caps on personal income rather than property value.

With the property tax legislation heading toward conference committee, virtually anything could emerge in the final package.

What seems more likely, though, is for the package to resemble key parts of the Daniels tax plan with a higher sales tax, property tax caps and tougher limits on local spending that could well lead to higher local income taxes.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

* The Democratic Party chooses its delegates in different ways: through primaries where millions vote -- through caucuses where thousands votes - and it gives a role to elected leaders and other officials in the process as well, each of whom has been chosen by their constituents to represent them. This system has been in place since 1982 -- more than 25 years.

* These elected officials and party leaders are sometimes called "superdelegates". They are more accurately described as "automatic" delegates, because they become delegates by being elected to other office. They have the same vote as every other delegate.

* Because this campaign is currently almost exactly tied, both campaigns are working hard to win the support of the "automatic" delegates.

* You ask what are super delegates suppose to do? Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, says: "Their role is to exercise their best judgement in the interests of the nation and of the Democratic Party."

* Clinton campaign, and the Obama campaign, agree. For example, David Axelrod, Senator Obama's strategist, says: "These are elected officials from across the country and they're supposed to exercise their judgement as to what would be best for the party ... I think they and all the superdelegates should vote according to what they think is best for the party and the country."

* In fact, in several states, like Massachusetts, that Hillary has won, the automatic delegates are supporting the other candidate. They are making their own decision, which is to be respected -- and so should decisions by those who are supporting Hillary!

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Tax Abatement is not paying Property Taxes. Permission not to pay Property Taxes is granted from the City Council to certain (all who ask for it) businesses to excuse them from paying their taxes.When permission is granted from the City Council for a 10-year abatement, a business does not pay any Real and/or Personal Property taxes the first year. Personal Property tax abatement is allowed on manufacturing equipment and also on research and development equipment, if it is new to the State of Indiana. Their taxes are then gradually phased back in, using a yearly percentage for those businesses, so they end up paying their full taxes about 10 years later (depending on how long an abatement the City Council grants)

Businesses fill out CF-1 forms to track the progress of their business. The CF-1 forms are used to see if the businesses meet the goals of their expansion and number of new employees hired, along with the wages paid. These forms are to be checked and questioned by the City Council, as to the accuracy and the goals achieved.

Tax Abatements put a burden on Taxpayers because Property Tax Money is lost for the designated years of the abatements.Similar to the TIF's services are affected. Money that could have been used for Police and Fire Departments and other services is not there. The need for extra Police and Fire Protection is increased, but new additional money is not there, until the abatement is gradually removed.

Should Tax Abatements be considered Corporate Welfare? How many businesses really need those abatement's? What next?Will Deputy Mayor Carl Malysz try to give Tax Abatements on vacant buildings downtown?Will any of his deals be legal, since his position of Deputy Mayor was not created by Indiana State Law?IC 36-4-9-7 : Ordinance establishing position of deputy mayor.

Sec. 7 : The city legislative body by ordinance establish the position of deputy mayor.Source: State Board of Accounts and Indiana Association of Cities and Towns

Source:Courier Journal - 11/8/02Tribune - 12/29/07Courier Journal - 7/16/07Courier Journal - 9/6/07Courier Journal - 12/29/08Tribune - 1/18/08With his work history, what are the chances of the newly appointed, Deputy Mayor Malysz, staying in New Albany long enough to guarantee the pay off of $4,500,000 cost for New Albany TIF projects he has proposed and pushed through our council?So you ask what is our point?The mayor agrees he's been out of office and things have changed. Maybe he overlooked some laws. It is legally ok to create a position, but, when you create a Deputy Mayor position you need to go by Indiana State Law. Source: State Board of Accounts, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns

We'll not make it easy on Mayor England by giving him the actual State law he has violated because we feel he should be earning his $11,000 raise.

Oh don't worry critics of Freedom Of Speech, we have copies of the law and have verified that "Carl Malysz is not legally" the Deputy Mayor.Does that mean he has to pay the money back?

Is it legal for the City Controller to issue a payroll check to an employee whose position was not CREATED according to Indiana Law?

Do you see what happens, property owners, when the "new England Adminstration" doesn't do their homework?When private citizens like us care more about saving your property tax dollars than the current adminstration.

We were told Mayor England has informed several citizens that he will not be intimidated and as Mayor and we quote: he will do what ever he pleases.

You might think that England, but neither you nor anyone in your adminstration is above Indiana State Law!Since we seem to be the bearer of bad news this Saturday, we might as well give you the rest of it.Rental inspection:

For well over a year or longer several citizens have been demanding that our past mayor, current mayor, and some previous council members, and some current council members have promised and campaigned on rental inspection.

The BAD NEWS for all of you is that this week we were told that Mayor England "cut a deal "with several Realtors. He has promised them there will never be or they will never pass an ordinance for "rentalinspections" in the City of New Albany.

Source: Realtors

Our first thought was: What was the purpose of hiring a second code enforcement officer? Our second thought was: How is England going to pull this one off?

You are so right Mr. Mayor, you have been out of office too long. You have all of us to deal with now unlike in 1992-1999. You should have learned from the past that "you can never play both sides against the middle without getting caught."

Is this town big enough for both groups?

When on one side they demand rentalinspection and then, on the other side, the Realtors have been promised "NO RENTAL INSPECTION and NO NEW FEES" in New Albany.

This issue will be very interesting to watch as it plays out!

How will the Mayor spin this deal?

Who is worth more to England now? A certain group of wannabe's or the realtors?

Our money is on the Realtors.

Welcome to the 21st century...Doug!

Freedom Of Speech is trying to make the property owners aware of what is really going on in our city.